Vintage Tolkien Two Towers Paperback J.R.R. Tolkien Ballantine Books 1960s Fantasy

A vintage Ballantine Books paperback copy of The Two Towers, Part Two of The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. This authorized edition features the bold, colorful Barbara Remington cover art and visible reading wear that gives it true old-paperback character.

Details

∙ Item: Vintage mass market paperback
∙ Title: The Two Towers
∙ Series: The Lord of the Rings, Part Two
∙ Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
∙ Illustrator / Cover Artist: Barbara Remington, per TolkienBooks.US bibliographic reference for this Ballantine edition
∙ Publisher: Ballantine Books, published by arrangement with Houghton Mifflin Company
∙ Year: Copyright 1965; Nineteenth Printing, September 1969, as shown on copyright page
∙ Edition / Printing: Authorized Ballantine paperback edition; Nineteenth Printing
∙ Size / Measurements: Approximately 7” x 4.5”
∙ Page Count: 447 pages per seller notes; bibliographic references list this Ballantine edition as 448 pp., likely counting end matter/blank matter differently
∙ Cover / Jacket Colors: Bright magenta, blue, orange, cream, black, and green fantasy cover art; orange-stained page edges
∙ Genre / Subject: Vintage fantasy, epic fantasy, classic literature, Middle-earth, collectible paperback
∙ ISBN: Not shown in photos; cover/spine show Ballantine number 01534 and original 95¢ price

∙ Notable Features: Authorized U.S. paperback edition, colorful Barbara Remington artwork, orange page edges, Houghton Mifflin/Dolphin Edition notice on front cover

Condition Grade: Good

Positives

∙ Complete readable copy of a classic Tolkien title.
∙ Front cover remains colorful and visually striking.
∙ Spine lettering is readable.
∙ Interior pages appear readable with strong text contrast.
∙ Orange page edges add great vintage paperback shelf appeal.

Issues / Wear

∙ Cover shows visible rubbing, creasing, scuffing, small edge chips, corner wear, and handling wear.
∙ Spine has rubbing and age wear, with wear at the head and tail.
∙ Pages are age-toned throughout.
∙ Previous owner signature/name appears inside front cover area.
∙ Some pages are dog-eared, per seller notes.
∙ Rear cover shows light soiling, small marks, and general shelf wear.

∙ See all photos for detail—sold as pictured.

Condition Grade Key:
Near Fine: Minimal visible wear; clean, tight, and gift-worthy.
Very Good: Light wear from careful use; attractive and solid.
Good: Noticeable use or flaws, but complete and readable/displayable.
Fair: Heavy wear, damage, or markings; still useful or collectible for the right buyer.

Plot 

The Two Towers continues Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy after the breaking of the Fellowship. The story follows divided paths through Middle-earth as Frodo and Sam move closer to Mordor, while Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Merry, and Pippin face war, old forests, strange allies, and growing darkness.

This copy is a nice working vintage paperback for readers and collectors who love the classic Ballantine look.

Shipping + Trust (Reading Vintage standards)

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Disclaimer

All items are vintage and may show signs of age, wear, or use consistent with their history. Photos show the exact condition of each piece—please review them carefully, as they are part of the description. 

Care and Handling:
Handle with clean, dry hands. Store upright, out of direct sunlight, at about 68°F and 40–50% relative humidity. Avoid damp areas and extreme temperature swings.